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I have yet to receive a death certificate, I had to go online to order one, never was informed if she had life insurance or not, so I paid out of pocket with her final expenses. I been looking things up on my own regarding social security benefits, filing "final" taxes for her and etc. If anyone can point me in the right direction would be great! This was my first lost where I had to step up and take charge in the matter, also I'm the youngest of my mother's children. I'm new to all of this and taking on all of this. Should I get a power of attorney? Please be understanding and I'm still processing the loss of my mother. Thank you all in advance!

https://trustandwill.com/learn/estate-settlement has step by step instructions for settling an estate.
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Reply to MyNameIsTrouble
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Did your mother leave any substantial assets? If so, did she leave a will? If so, the executor named in the will is responsible for this. If she did not leave a will, then you need a lawyer to handle dealing with the assets.

If your mother did not leave any substantial assets, there is nothing you need to do. Banks will often hand over the contents of a small bank account where they are quite sure that nothing illegal is going on. Split the small assets (eg furniture) between the people who expect something, to avoid any difficult objections being raised.

If your mother held anything (particularly a house) as a ‘joint tenant’, on her death the whole is now automatically owned by the other joint tenant named on the title, so there is nothing you need to do about it.

As you haven’t needed to do anything for the last six months, the chances are that there is nothing you need to do.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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Did you forward from the last mailing address? Because now is the time when investments send out tax forms. Otherwise in 5 years from now the unclaimed funds will pop up on the state websites.
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Reply to MACinCT
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Shanim, research for your state what the allowance is for having to file probate. Every state has a maximum minimum that probate is NOT required.

as crazy as it was and is, I got this information when I was trying to find out how to deal with the title to my dad's truck, the depart of motor vehicle gave me the affidavit that gave me this information.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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JoAnn29 Jan 31, 2024
She does not need to file probate she just needs to get a short certificate to handle finances. She would be an Administrator.
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I’m so sorry for your loss.

Dealing with funeral homes can be hit or miss. It depends on the circumstances. My dad died in 2002. Mom lost her home in hurricane Katrina in 2005 and moved into our home.

Years later I was looking into seeing if mom would qualify for veterans assistance because my dad served in WW11.

When I called the funeral home for his death certificate, they told me that records were destroyed in hurricane Katrina.

Who knows why you can’t acquire your records from the funeral home. Personally, I would bypass the funeral home and just order more to have any additional copies.
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Reply to NeedHelpWithMom
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Shanim, I am so sorry for your loss. May The Lord give you grieving mercies, peace and comfort for thus new season in your life.

I would not order more. I got six when my dad died and it was 4 to many to settle everything.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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olddude Jan 31, 2024
Same thing with me. When my dad died, the funeral home gave us 10 copies of his death certificate. I gave one to my sister to transfer the title on his car, and just emailed a pdf copy of the certificate to everybody else that asked for one. Still have 9 left in my files.
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Its probably beyond the funeral home now. I received 10 of them from the funeral home after Moms death. They were signed by a local clerk. May have to go thru the County or the State now.

Call Probate and see what u need to do. Once u have everything in order you can get a short certificate u can handle Moms affairs,
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Shanim Jan 30, 2024
Thank you for replying, and through my research that’s what I found that I was supposed to receive from the funeral home. I have ordered two so far, but I plan on reaching out to my state health department. Thanks again and I will be looking into the Probate.
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I would go back to the funeral home and insist that they file the papers to get the death certificate. You will need a few death certificates.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of paperwork to be done. A lawyer can be helpful but they can be costly. Sorry for you loss.
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Reply to Hedgie
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Shanim Jan 30, 2024
Thank you and I will contact them again, but I have ordered 2 certificates on my own. Yes, I’m not able to afford a lawyer at this point, but thank you again
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Too late for the POA> Those are for the living to confer upon someone when they suppose they do or they will need help managing their finances and placement and other things while they are living.These things go when they die.
If the funeral is done and there are no assets, honestly there is not much to do.
Whomever is the executor or the administrator of the estate will dispose of any remainders such as furniture and etc. Whilst doing so they will come across any wills or instructions that they may find.
This needn't fall to you, including the taxes.
You can simply walk away. You are not responsible for anything to do with any person who is deceased if you are not the administrator or executor of the estate.
If you have questions see a Trust and Estate or a Probate Attorney at law.
A simple call to the office may put you on the track of where to being and IF to begin.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Shanim Jan 30, 2024
Thank you so much I might reach out to a probate attorney just to make sure.
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A Power of Attorney dies along with the person who issued it.

As far as her Social Security benefits they also die along with her. There is a small funeral benefit of $255. That is it.

You can go to H & R Block or another tax preparer to file your mother's income taxes.

As for the rest it all depends on what assets your mother held in her name and if she had a will or not. You will need to TT an attorney about the estate.

I am sorry about your loss. Take Care!
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Reply to MeDolly
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cover9339 Jan 30, 2024
If I'm not mistaken the SS benefit has stipulations on it.

and ((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
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